A man in his fifties has cancer. He was given months to live. He suffers a lot every day. Bleeding from every orifice. His doctor tells him that the only available treatment options would only add a month or two at most and would not improve his quality of life. His family who loves him are forced to watch him suffer, because they can't do anything. The closer he gets to death, the worse his symptoms will become. He loves life but doesn't want to die this way or be an additional burden on his family. He wants to die in a dignified manor, but due to the law of his state he is not allowed this choice. He is not the only person in this situation, but these people are forced to live in excruciating pain until the end of their lives. Why do they have to suffer? A writing teacher at Bennington once wrote, “We cannot deny the existence of the helpless as their presence increases” (Ascher, 195). In other words, we need to help those around us who need our help and not simply ignore them. This was in an essay on compassion. Ascher was writing about the homeless and the growing compassion shown to them in New York City. As humanity's level of compassion grows, shouldn't it also grow for those who are helpless in their own homes? It is true that there are dangers in legalizing euthanasia or PAD (physician-assisted death) such as involuntary euthanasia, which could undermine research into these diseases, and doctors offering euthanasia as a quick and easy alternative to treating their patients. There are hospices willing to take care of those who suffer and try to make them feel comfortable; however, some patients continue to suffer in this situation as hospices cannot do much. With proper regulation of euthanasia...... middle of paper...... and how best to implement them, but I urge you to contact your local state senators and representatives. It is through continued discussion that regulation can be improved for approval in your state. We allow those who have no other options to end their suffering. Works Cited Anaya, Rosie. “The Best Kept Secret on Campus” Kennedy, Kennedy and Aaron 74-78. Ascher, Barbara Lazear. “On Compassion” Kennedy, Kennedy and Aaron 193-195Kennedy, X.J., Dorothy M. Kennedy and Jane E. Aaron, eds. The Bedford Reader. 10th ed. Boston: Bedford, 2009. Print Mahr, Krista. Legal euthanasia: no incentive to suicide. Time.com, 2007. Web31 May. Oregon Death with Dignity Act of 2011. ORS Ch 127. 800-995 Stat. 1994. WebQuill, Timothy E. “Physician-Assisted Dying in the United States: Are Existing “Last Resorts” Sufficient?” The Hastings Center report 38.5 (2008): 17-22.